NEW SENATE POWERS ON ENERGY

10 to watch: Senators on energy
Darren Goode, December 30, 2010 (Politico)

"With Republicans controlling the House and ramping up oversight and investigations of the Obama administration, focus at least initially in the next Congress will be on the Senate to lay a potential pathway for legislative compromise on energy and environmental policy…Lawmakers in both parties have shown interest in establishing a new federal renewable power mandate or a broader one that includes not just sources like wind, solar and geothermal but also nuclear and cleaner uses of coal.

"With mandatory carbon controls seemingly off the table, more emphasis may be placed on longtime bipartisan efforts to reduce other major air pollutants stemming from power plants. Oil-state lawmakers will continue to seek the right balance between government oversight and private enterprise in drilling off the nation’s coastline in the aftermath of this summer’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill. And first will be an effort to curb greenhouse gas regulations at the Environmental Protection Agency."

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"…10 senators…could be major players on energy and environmental policy…[are]…Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.)…the majority leader and leading gatekeeper for what does and does not make it to the floor for debate, Reid…has shown particular interest in trying to forge deals on natural gas-powered vehicles, renewable energy key to his sun-drenched state and granting the federal government greater authority in siting a new green electric transmission network…Republicans — especially in the House — may not be quick to give him many victories though…

"Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)…third-ranking Senate Republican has shown the most willingness among GOP leaders to working with Democrats…on legislation reducing industrial emissions…Alexander also sees the potential for compromise on nuclear power and electric vehicles…Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.)…the Bingaman-chaired Energy and Natural Resources Committee managed in the 111th Congress to pass two major bipartisan energy bills…Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)…largely a pariah in his own party on energy and environmental issues after trying to work out a bipartisan climate and energy deal this past Congress…he could still be an influential player in the development of a so-called clean energy standard requiring power companies to increase production of low-carbon electricity…"

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"Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) …his [part of the]“tri-partisan” climate and energy talks with Graham and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) in the 111th Congress was to lead the drafting of a section boosting the production of nuclear power…Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)…led her party on an Energy and Natural Resources panel with more bipartisan comity than most and has joined with oil-state lawmakers in both parties to try to influence discussions on Obama administration and legislative efforts to respond to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill…Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.)…is practically only a Democrat by name on energy issues…A fierce defender of her state’s oil and gas industry, she has readily partnered with Republicans like Murkowski… on efforts to speed up dormant permitting of offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico…

"…Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)… helped shepherd an overtly partisan cap-and-trade bill through her Environment and Public Works Committee in the 111th Congress that got nowhere fast, [but] she and EPW ranking member Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) have worked very well together on crafting infrastructure bills…Boxer is also continuing to co-lead with Kerry a group of Democrats that gets together every Tuesday to discuss ways to tackle climate change and energy issues…Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.)…would be in the middle of the now-annual effort to extend or modify a suite of energy tax incentives that are now set to expire at the end of 2011…Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.)…may be a placeholder on the list for the Republican who ends up taking a strong lead on efforts to reduce federal energy loan guarantees, tax credits and other subsidies as part of broader efforts to reduce overall federal spending and balance the budget…"